Beyonce shares "Spirit" from new 'Lion King' companion album

Not only is Beyonce voicing Nala in the new Lion King remake, she’s also the executive producer for a companion album, The Lion King: The Gift. (That’s in addition to the soundtrack, which features Beyonce and Childish Gambino’s rendition of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”) Beyonce says:

This is sonic cinema. This is a new experience of storytelling. I wanted to do more than find a collection of songs that were inspired by the film. It is a mixture of genres and collaboration that isn’t one sound. It is influenced by everything from R&B, pop, hip hop and Afro Beat.

I wanted to put everyone on their own journey to link the storyline. Each song was written to reflect the film’s storytelling that gives the listener a chance to imagine their own imagery, while listening to a new contemporary interpretation. It was important that the music was not only performed by the most interesting and talented artists but also produced by the best African producers. Authenticity and heart were important to me.

The full tracklist for The Gift is still TBA, but Beyonce’s own new contribution “Spirit” is out now. She made it with composer Hans Zimmer and South African musician Lebo M, and you can hear a little of the African music influence, but mostly it’s the kind of triumphant ballad that Beyonce has excelled at many times in the past. Listen below.